Trade deficit in goods jumps 12.8 percent amid tariff battle

The U.S. trade deficit in goods rose 12.8 percent in December, according to an advanced estimate from the Census Bureau.

The move comes amid trade hostilities between the U.S. and China, and a White House effort to narrow the gap.

Rising trade deficits subtract from GDP, meaning that fourth-quarter estimates could be reduced.

A worker gestures as a crane lifts goods for export onto a cargo vessel at a port in Lianyungang, China, February 13, 2019.

Reuters

The U.S. trade deficit in goods jumped to end 2018 amid a surge in imports, a move that could cause fourth-quarter economic growth estimates to be lowered, according an advanced look from the Census Bureau on Wednesday.

December saw a $79.5 billion goods deficit, up 12.8 percent from the $70.5 billion in November. The move came amid a $4 billion decline in exports, to $135.7 billion, and a $5 billion increase in imports, to $215.2 billion.

The Census report does not include services.

Trade deficits continued to grow throughout the year for the U.S. despite President Donald Trump's moves to curb the shortfall through tariffs. The White House and China are in the middle of negotiations aimed at beating a March 1 deadline after which more aggressive tariffs could take effect. Trump, however, said it's unlikely the U.S. would amp up the tariffs if the deadline isn't met.

Wednesday's numbers could lead economists to trim their estimates for fourth-quarter gross domestic product (GDP). Expectations currently are for growth to come in around 1.8 percent, according to the Atlanta Federal Reserve, while CNBC's Rapid Update estimate is at 2 percent. Trade deficits subtract from GDP.

The quarterly calculation, though, could get a boost from inventories, which rose 1.1 percent at the wholesale level and 0.9 percent in retail, according to the advanced estimate.

The government will release its preliminary fourth-quarter GDP estimate Thursday morning.